*********************************************************

Following is a question by Dr the Hon David Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (January 5):

Question:

Regarding the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Business Travel Card Scheme, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of such Cards issued each year since the implementation of the Scheme;

(b) of the average processing time for applications for such Cards; and

(c) whether it has evaluated the Scheme's target group's awareness of the Scheme; if it has, of the evaluation results?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Business Travel Card Scheme was introduced in May 1998. Up to the end of November 2004, a total of 1 710 APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTCs) have been issued. The breakdown by year is as follows:

Year        No. of ABTCs issued
1998*               314
1999                211
2000                 43
2001                211
2002                200
2003                197
2004**              534
            ---------------------
            Total   1 710

* May - December 1998
** January - November 2004

(c) In addition to distributing leaflets on the ABTC Scheme, Immigration Department keeps in regular contact with trade related organisations, such as chambers of commerce, industrial associations and professional bodies, to promote the Scheme. The Scheme has been operating smoothly so far.

Ends/Wednesday, January 5, 2005

NNNN